FAA struggles with regulations for commercial drones

Seconds after his unmanned drone takes off from Juniper Valley Park in Queens, we realize this sophisticated technology is better suited to complete a task, although it may look like a toy. David Quinones runs a company called SkyCamUSA and is waiting...

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Businesses, both large and small, are clamoring for the right to use drones; these small unmanned planes and their flights could deliver books, packages or pizzas for Amazon, FedEx or Domino's.

Their commercial uses are potentially unlimited, as some have successfully used the drones already for filming, advertising, and marketing real estate.

The only problem with the various corporations, trade groups, and small business moving forward with their ideas; the unmanned flights are banned from commercial use in the US.

In a 2007 policy statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned drones from being used for commercial purposes. The FAA, which is under severe duress and public pressure to change the rules concerning this, is willing to propose new language for the law.

Any legislation proposed in this year, would not be enacted until 2015. Many see that as too slow, and millions of dollars in potential revenue opportunities lost.

The problem is that while the unmanned planes most like used for commercial purposes would fly less than 400 feet above ground, weigh no more than 55 lbs, and resemble a toy helicopter; tracking, monitoring, and regulating these flight in national airspace with existing technology would be a nightmare.

Th agency need to ensure that planes don't crash when landing or run into a manned flight during their routes.

Additionally, the FAA has made progress in testing the drones by authorizing over 600 public sector flights, mainly for law enforcement and universities. While six official testing sites for drone flights were set-up through out the country, this past year.

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Edward Carter has more than 10 years' consulting experience for an investment bank firm on Wall Street. He has an MBA with additional degrees in management and technology. He has sat on the board of directors for two technology start-up companies.